Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Downtown Santa Cruz

Popular places to visit

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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

4/5(16 reviews)

Enjoy the exciting rides at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and see why everyone loves this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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Mystery Spot

3/5(2 reviews)

Find out about the history of Santa Cruz when you take a trip to Mystery Spot. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the surfing spots.

Mystery Spot
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Santa Cruz Wharf

Explore the waterfront of Santa Cruz Wharf and enjoy activities such as surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Santa Cruz Wharf
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Natural Bridges State Park

4/5(5 reviews)

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Natural Bridges State Park during your travels in Santa Cruz? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Natural Bridges State Park
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Ocean Street

During your visit to Santa Cruz, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Ocean Street. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Ocean Street
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Cowell's Beach

Explore the waterfront of Cowell's Beach and enjoy activities such as surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Cowell's Beach

Activities

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Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

AU$128
Per adult
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy
Image for Whale Watching Monterey Bay semi-private limited to 6 people max

Whale Watching Monterey Bay semi-private limited to 6 people max

AU$604
Per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Whale Watching Monterey Bay semi-private limited to 6 people max
Image for Big Sur Private Charter from San Francisco by Luxury SUV 10 hrs

Big Sur Private Charter from San Francisco by Luxury SUV 10 hrs

AU$1,965
Per adult
Big Sur Private Charter from San Francisco by Luxury SUV 10 hrs
Image for Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

AU$128
Per adult
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy
Image for 5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

AU$210
Per adult
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic
Image for Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area

Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area

AU$159
Per adult
Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Our pick of the best Downtown Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

Pacific Blue Inn
Pacific Blue Inn
3 out of 5
636 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$161 per night from 13 May to 14 May
AU$161
per night
13 May - 14 May
Stay at this guesthouse in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (765 reviews)
Will stay again
"We had a great time, we will stay again. Tina at the front desk very informed and helpful. Hotel is very close to the downtown area and very walkable. You will need to stay in communication for check-in to ensure they are available you help you. They do have a after hours lock box to be able to access ..."

Reviewed on 29 Apr. 2024

Pacific Blue Inn
Chaminade Resort & Spa
Chaminade Resort & Spa
4 out of 5
1 Chaminade Ln, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$348 per night from 13 May to 14 May
AU$348
per night
13 May - 14 May
Book a stay at this spa resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"beautiful views and the food at the view was very good"

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Chaminade Resort & Spa
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
4 out of 5
611 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$221 per night from 13 May to 14 May
AU$221
per night
13 May - 14 May
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Nice property! Great for families or couples. The food and drinks were great, just too expensive!"

Reviewed on 2 May 2024

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Los Gatos Lodge
Los Gatos Lodge
3 out of 5
50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, Los Gatos, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$251 per night from 12 May to 13 May
AU$251
per night
12 May - 13 May
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Gatos. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Convenient Room was clean comfortable. TV remote was not working."

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Los Gatos Lodge
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
3 out of 5
313 Riverside Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$203 per night from 16 May to 17 May
AU$203
per night
16 May - 17 May
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (382 reviews)
"Our stay at this hotel was great! Our first floor room was very spacious and was well-stocked with everything we needed except body lotion. We would have loved another outlet or two (one on each side of each bed would have been great; one bed did not have an outlet on one side) and drawers vs. shelves ..."

Reviewed on 2 May 2024

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$394 per night from 13 May to 14 May
AU$394
per night
13 May - 14 May
Book a stay at this beach resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
Chillin’ !
"We had a wonderful stay ! Loved this hotel . Location & service was amazing. & Such a cool beachy vibe. We will be back !"

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
See all 1,167 properties in Downtown Santa Cruz
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz which includes water sports

Westside Santa Cruz

4/5(16 area reviews)

Travellers to Westside Santa Cruz praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay.

Westside Santa Cruz
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Beach Hill - Beach Flats

While there might not be top attractions in Beach Hill - Beach Flats, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Main Beach.

Beach Hill - Beach Flats
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Upper Seabright

While Upper Seabright isn't home to many top sights, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Harbor are some notable places to visit nearby.

Upper Seabright
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Seabright

While visiting Seabright, you might make a stop by sights like Santa Cruz Harbor and Seabright Beach.

Seabright
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Circles

While Circles may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Cowell's Beach.

Circles
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Westlake

When in Westlake, you can plan a visit to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Westlake

Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

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